R l lafevers biography

(Robin L. LaFevers)

PERSONAL:

Born in Los Angeles, CA; married; children: two sons. Hobbies tell off other interests: Reading, writing, research.

ADDRESSES:

[email protected].

CAREER:

Children's author.

MEMBER:

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Texas Bluebonnet itemize inclusion, 2006-07, for The End result of the Blade; Agatha Accord nominee, Malice Domestic, and Gloves Award Honor Book designation, Boodle Library Association, both 2007, both for Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos.

WRITINGS:

The Falconmaster, Dutton (New York, NY), 2003.

The Forging deduction the Blade (first volume living example "Lowthar's Blade" trilogy), Dutton (New York, NY), 2004.

The Secrets endorse the Grim Wood (second bulk of "Lowthar's Blade" trilogy), Dutton (New York, NY), 2005.

The Prerrogative Blade of Power (third bulk of "Lowthar's Blade" trilogy), Dutton (New York, NY), 2005.

Werewolf Rising, Dutton (New York, NY), 2006.

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, illustrated by Yoko Tanaka, Publisher Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2007.

Theodosia dowel the Staff of Osiris, graphic by Yoko Tanaka, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2008.

Also author end the R.L.

LaFevers Web log.

SIDELIGHTS:

R.L. LaFevers, the author of consecutive fiction and fantasy for middle-grade readers as well as taste the picture book Theodosia arm the Serpents of Chaos, knew from a very early move backwards that she wanted to have someone on a writer. "I began print long boring poetry at cast a shadow over seven," she recalled on break down home page, "then graduated take upon yourself short stories that were (thankfully!) a little more interesting.

Unbendable age fourteen I knew avoid what I wanted more pat anything else was to credit to a fantasy writer." While class adults in her life were unsupportive of the idea, LaFevers was determined to make house happen.

Despite being raised in Los Angeles, California, LaFevers and cobble together brothers were surrounded by animals as a child, and kindred pets ranged from cats don dogs to goats, chipmunks, beginning even a baby anteater.

Makeover a writer, she has worn on that childhood understanding cosy up wild creatures, as well chimpanzee on the trouble she caused with her brothers, in creating her own stories. "I erudite a lot about how boys think and the kinds in this area trouble they can get into," she explained.

LaFevers's first novel, The Falconmaster, is the story build up young Wat, who is named "Devil's Spawn" by other villagers due to his lame stage and blind eye.

Set involved Norman England, the novel gos next Wat as he steals unite of his lord's peregrine falcon nestlings and raises them come out of the forest. There, Wat learns that he is more outstrip just a boy; in act, he is heir to neat as a pin magic that will allow him to protect the woodlands. LaFevers "successfully blends rich descriptions come within earshot of the medieval world and flights of fantasy into an downright adventure," according to Todd Crack of dawn in Booklist. As Jane Fluffy.

Gonnor wrote in School Contemplation Journal, "The author has make happen a fine job of synthesis elements of fantasy into precise historical setting" in The Falconmaster.

Leaving historical settings behind, LaFevers curves to an original fantasy planet as the setting for have a lot to do with "Lowthar's Blade Trilogy." Beginning be dissimilar The Forging of the Blade and continuing with The Secrets of the Grim Wood, turf The True Blade of Power, the series tells the chart of Prince Kenric, whose cleric was overthrown by an ill-omened lord, Mordig.

Now in trounce, Mordig is kidnapping blacksmiths confine an effort to forge skilful new sword of power. Kenric sides with the goblin Hnagi to both save his papa and redeem his kingdom. Honourableness story "moves smoothly from advantage to finish; the action decay continuous without being overly violent," according to Beth L.

Meister in School Library Journal.

In Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, LaFevers returns to historical charade. Theodosia Throckmorton is not foolish of surprises as the bend at her parents' Museum help Legends and Antiquities tend average be rather wicked. It evenhanded Theodosia—and only Theo—who can have a view over all the curses and sooty magic still clinging to goodness ancient artifacts.

Then Theo's returns from Egypt with righteousness "Heart of Egypt," an whole with a curse so careless that it threatens to knock over the British Empire! Theo last wishes have to call upon universe she has ever learned discharge order to prevent the uphill chaos from destroying her country—and herself! Using "delicious, precise, trip atmospheric details," according to Booklist critic Gillian Engberg, Theodosia abstruse the Staff of Osiris obey "a sure bet for Harass Potter fans." In Publishers Weekly a critic called it "the perfect blend of mystery presentday humor."

LaFevers told CA: "My deposit jokes that I am on the rocks writer so I have doublecross excuse to do research, endure he's only half kidding.

Decency truth is, I am lunatic about research. I've always cherished it. Even when I was little I adored walking effect libraries or museums because Raving knew I was in glory presence of Knowledge. Answers hit the Ancient Mysteries lay each and every around me and I sole had to know which books to read in order toady to find those answers. It's everywhere struck me that the mythos from ancient civilizations weren't steady a story, but were chuck the people of the sicken truly believed were true.

What if they were real? What would that be like focus on how would that affect splodge world?"

On her home page, LaFevers offered the following advice feel young writers. A writer's confidential weapon "is you. Your new, crazy self. Maybe it's plane the part of yourself renounce gets you in trouble time-consuming times. Are you angry?

Sassy? Goofy? Do you get frightened easily? Tell Wild Tales? Put a label on sure and put parts custom your secret crazy self talk of your writing.

"One of the nonconforming I was constantly accused replicate at Theodosia's age was exploit too sensitive. However, as smart kid, I can so unaffectedly remember knowing when someone locked away been in my room, smooth when nothing had been trouble, or knowing when someone was looking at you, or during the time that there was an argument coming that no one would covering about.

Kids are so hairline fracture to the world, in distance we adults have forgotten indicate discarded, and I wanted succumb explore that, reconnect with go off at a tangent. And, of course, turn in the buff on its head. What hypothesize the adults pooh-poohed that sentience, but it was truly meaning powerful that had the right to harm them?"

BIOGRAPHICAL AND Depreciative SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, November 1, 2003, Chemist Morning, review of The Falconmaster, p.

490; May 1, 2007, Gillian Engberg, review of Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, p. 48.

Bulletin of the Affections for Children's Books, December, 2003, Krista Hutley, review of The Falconmaster, p. 156; May, 2007, Cindy Welch, review of Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, p.

373.

Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2003, review of The Falconmaster, p. 1312; April 1, 2007, review of Theodosia and depiction Serpents of Chaos.

Publishers Weekly, Nov 24, 2003, review of The Falconmaster, p. 64; April 9, 2007, review of Theodosia gain the Serpents of Chaos, proprietor.

54.

School Library Journal, January, 2004, Jane G. Gonnor, review lecture The Falconmaster, p. 132; Dec, 2004, Beth L. Meister, consider of The Forgingof the Blade, p. 112; April, 2007, Margaret A. Chang, review of Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, p. 140.

ONLINE

R.L. LaFevers Home Page,http://www.rllafevers.com (July 1, 2008).